The sailor nodded. "We follow orders, we do, and that's all," he observed, and then they could get nothing more out of him.
The boys took their time, yet the meal was finished inside of half an hour. They were just getting up from the table when Captain Langless reappeared.
"Well, how did the breakfast suit?" he asked.
"First-rate," returned Dick. "Now, if you don't mind, we would like to go on deck."
"You may do so under one condition."
"And that is—?"
"That you will go below again when ordered by me."
At this both Tom and Sam cut wry faces.
"You are rather hard on us," said Dick slowly.
"On the contrary, I think I am treating you generously. The Baxters wish to handcuff you and put you back into the hold."
There was a pause, and then the boys agreed, if allowed to go on deck, to go below again whenever the captain wished.
"But, remember, we are going to get away if we can," added Dick.
"All right, get away—if you can," rejoined Captain Langless. "If you go overboard you'll be in for a long swim, I can tell you that."
It felt good to get into the bright sunshine once
